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Koni + 1st gen FM spring setup, opinions.

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Old Apr 22, 2008 | 07:31 PM
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Default Koni + 1st gen FM spring setup, opinions.

I have a set of Koni yellows, I just bought a set of first gen FM springs.

My car is way over budget, and I would like to only do rear upper mounts for now. The problem...FCM will only sell a set of 4.

What is my best option? I'm thinking NB mounts, but will they give me enough travel? Shaikh at FCM said I should just do the shorter bumpstops for the time being. I've read the ISC mounts are a bad idea for non coilovers because they don't have a spring catch.

I've been searching around for a bit. I did find a good thread on miata.net about the NB mounts, but all the pictures are gone. Anyone know of someone running a similar setup?
Old Apr 22, 2008 | 07:58 PM
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I just put on some first gen FM springs and some AGX's on my car with the FCM bumpstops - so far I can't say I've bottomed out. A ton smoother ride actually than the stock ones - which surprised me.

I was going to go the NB mounts as well but I'd heard reports on just how low those springs would go and the possibility of it being too low and having the control arms (?) parallel to the ground or point slightly up made me think I'd do the FCM's by themselves first.

So far I think it's a good choice.
Old Apr 22, 2008 | 08:00 PM
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Fm sells the rear mounts...thats about all I can think of. I would NOT just run the springs and shocks, you will bottom out.

I'm running Koni yellows, FCM, 24mm bumps and early FM springs. It is low. Here are a few different angles.

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Old Apr 22, 2008 | 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by miatamania
Fm sells the rear mounts...thats about all I can think of. I would NOT just run them, you will bottom out.

I'm running Koni yellows, FCM, 24mm bumps and early FM springs. It is low. Here are a few different angles.
I've only been running them for a few days so I may still bottom out. Train tracks and such so far have been a ton smoother though. That said, indeed, they are looooow. Much more than I expected. I like `em though.
Old Apr 22, 2008 | 09:09 PM
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The FM rear mounts are the same price as all 4 FCM mounts. I know it will bottom out and I want to do this right, I'm just $450 over budget already. Do the fronts really help alot?

What perch do you have your konis on? I'm just a front sway bar away from some good handling....I hope.
Old Apr 22, 2008 | 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by sotaku
I've only been running them for a few days so I may still bottom out. Train tracks and such so far have been a ton smoother though. That said, indeed, they are looooow. Much more than I expected. I like `em though.
I'll rephrase, I meant do NOT run just springs and konis for bottoming out the shock. As far as bottoming at the car, only on uber high speed bumpers have I had problems.

Originally Posted by miataspeed1point6
The FM rear mounts are the same price as all 4 FCM mounts. I know it will bottom out and I want to do this right, I'm just $450 over budget already. Do the fronts really help alot?

What perch do you have your konis on? I'm just a front sway bar away from some good handling....I hope.
It is on the highest perch, lol. I'm not sure if they help, but the do give it a nice stance I think, and the travel can't hurt.

I got a 99 sport bar cheap as crap and went with adjustable endlinks, I would however like to get a slightly larger one sooner or later.
Old Apr 22, 2008 | 09:42 PM
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dc2696 had a set of FM mounts forsale a while ago.
Old Apr 22, 2008 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by jayc72
dc2696 had a set of FM mounts forsale a while ago.
I sent him a PM. Thanks.
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 06:41 PM
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Damn it! Right off the FM page

Not for use with Koni Sport (yellow) shocks and lowering springs, as they can cause coil bind problems.
Is coil bind when the springs coils actually touch? Would using the highest perch negate that? I'm emailing FM now. I have the konis and springs, but I didn't buy the mounts yet. What should I do? Ebay sleeves?
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 06:57 PM
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Save money for the FCM mounts...and just wait.
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by miatamania
Save money for the FCM mounts...and just wait.
I have the money, I'd just like it to be cheaper (yeah, yeah I know). The more research I do the more I figure out the FCM are the only thing that will work.
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 07:11 PM
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I'm the same way, I came to those conclusions too, if I was right or not is a different story.
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 08:13 PM
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Miatamania, do you think I will rub with a 225/45/15 RS2 on 15x7 Kosei K1's with the FCM mounts and FM springs?

I seriously hope not. I'm tired of suspension already.
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 08:26 PM
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In the rear, I doubt it, especially if you have enough camber.

Fronts, maybe so. Mostly on the inner fender tabs is where I've had problems. Not a bad fix at all.

Last edited by miatamania; Apr 23, 2008 at 08:47 PM.
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 08:30 PM
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Ok good. Would you recomment the 36mm bump stop? I noticed you have a 24, did you cut it down? Would you recommend doing so?
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 08:53 PM
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I honestly wouldn't know what to tell you about bumpstops, I'm not sure I prefectly understand them. But here was my thinking:

He was offering 24mm linear and 46mm progressive IIRC, I chose the short bump because from what I understand is the shorter bump will allow for normal shock travel for a longer period and a rougher reaction from hitting the bumpstops rather than from hitting a slightly longer bumpstop which would hit sooner and be more of a progressive bottoming out?

IDK if I know what the ******* I'm talking about though. Call FCM, the guy is awesome and will be happy to answer questions...just a bit slow sometimes.
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 09:04 PM
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I'll be calling them soon, I'm sure they are closed now. I just wanted to check with someone running a similiar setup. Thanks for your help.
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 09:14 PM
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lol, hopefully thats all decent info, as I seem to be the only one posting x.X
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 09:24 PM
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I think the 1st gen FM springs are "rare" enough that not many people would post. Are they rare? I don't see them very often?
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 09:31 PM
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I'm really not sure, they seem to be somewhat hard to find. Unless people are upgrading to something stiffer they really don't get rid of them, its a good spring.



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